Thank you, Pru. I learned about this from your Facebook post and have followed you now. Also read your bio, which helps a lot. I really wanted to know more about you after your piece went viral and was attributed to Liz Cheney. You are a breath of loving air and a wonderful writer.
Well now I will learn grace. My younger sister told me she only is a red hat because her wealthy husband and his family are. I will ask if she is happy. She used to call me a lot. I will state there.
Thank you, Amber, for sharing your truth. I, too, am surrounded by MAGA and deep religion. I see you.
Thank you, Pru, for articulating what I can’t, for being our truth teller, and for your courage and bravery on the home front. You make such a difference!
Thank you to Amber for telling Dr Pru your honest and poignant story. Thank Dr Pru for writing it so beautifully. I too came from a religious background that I've realized leaned towards Christian Nationalism. I've been seriously unpacking and deconstructing .my religious, cultural, and political beliefs, biases and prejudice since my husband and both parents passed in 2016-2017. It's not pretty. I'm ashamed of the person I was. I realize I may be too harsh with those who haven't found their way out yet. This account was a good reminder that it's a difficult process to rewire one's belief systems and face your own transgressions.
Thanks for sharing these important lessons. I can confirm them from slightly different personal experiences, as a gay man who grew up in rural religious America.
I could never change hearts and minds through logic or argumentation or guilting and shaming. However, over time, many folks did come around and started questioning their irrational and ridged beliefs — but then I had the responsibility to forgive and help lead forward. That’s not fair and is asking a lot (especially of folks who were abused), but that is life and the sooner those of us on the right side of these issues realize that it’s part of the task at hand, then … well the sooner we can show grace and help society heal and reach a better future (if it is safe to be in the presence of folks from our past—in many cases it isn’t)
When I was working as a Case Investigator and Contact Tracer during Covid I learned that I couldn’t change people’s minds. I couldn’t convince them to get a vaccination, stay home or wear a mask if that wasn’t their belief. Beliefs weren’t like clothes that you can take off or put on depending upon the weather. Beliefs are rooted in the amygdala especially hatred and fear. People can change but I found it usually involved something deeply profound happening in their life. And you’re right, it doesn’t happen instantly. Rewiring your brain takes time and patience. I learned that all I could do is listen and not judge. Offer them support and help them along the path.
I will always welcome anyone who changes their view and becomes less superior, divisive, antagonistic and a follower of a destructive cultish ideology. To change must be so very hard and scary… I applaud anyone with the courage to do so. Deep down, we all want to be treated kindly.
Thank you, Pru. I learned about this from your Facebook post and have followed you now. Also read your bio, which helps a lot. I really wanted to know more about you after your piece went viral and was attributed to Liz Cheney. You are a breath of loving air and a wonderful writer.
Same here 👍🏼
Thanks
This is a brilliant heart warming piece
Beating someone up because they were misguided does not work
More grace
This is so beautifully written. Thank you! My heart, tho broken, is full.
Another resource is https://leavingmaga.org
Thank you both for posting this. ❤️🩹🙏🏻🇺🇸
Well now I will learn grace. My younger sister told me she only is a red hat because her wealthy husband and his family are. I will ask if she is happy. She used to call me a lot. I will state there.
Good luck. And blessings.
Thank you, Amber, for sharing your truth. I, too, am surrounded by MAGA and deep religion. I see you.
Thank you, Pru, for articulating what I can’t, for being our truth teller, and for your courage and bravery on the home front. You make such a difference!
Thank you to Amber for telling Dr Pru your honest and poignant story. Thank Dr Pru for writing it so beautifully. I too came from a religious background that I've realized leaned towards Christian Nationalism. I've been seriously unpacking and deconstructing .my religious, cultural, and political beliefs, biases and prejudice since my husband and both parents passed in 2016-2017. It's not pretty. I'm ashamed of the person I was. I realize I may be too harsh with those who haven't found their way out yet. This account was a good reminder that it's a difficult process to rewire one's belief systems and face your own transgressions.
Thanks for sharing these important lessons. I can confirm them from slightly different personal experiences, as a gay man who grew up in rural religious America.
I could never change hearts and minds through logic or argumentation or guilting and shaming. However, over time, many folks did come around and started questioning their irrational and ridged beliefs — but then I had the responsibility to forgive and help lead forward. That’s not fair and is asking a lot (especially of folks who were abused), but that is life and the sooner those of us on the right side of these issues realize that it’s part of the task at hand, then … well the sooner we can show grace and help society heal and reach a better future (if it is safe to be in the presence of folks from our past—in many cases it isn’t)
Stay safe and keep sharing and educating!
Brava, to both you and Amber; and to everyone willing to question themselves. Connection, instead of conflict and attempts at converting! 🌟🌟
When I was working as a Case Investigator and Contact Tracer during Covid I learned that I couldn’t change people’s minds. I couldn’t convince them to get a vaccination, stay home or wear a mask if that wasn’t their belief. Beliefs weren’t like clothes that you can take off or put on depending upon the weather. Beliefs are rooted in the amygdala especially hatred and fear. People can change but I found it usually involved something deeply profound happening in their life. And you’re right, it doesn’t happen instantly. Rewiring your brain takes time and patience. I learned that all I could do is listen and not judge. Offer them support and help them along the path.
Beautiful piece, Pru.
My eyes opened at the statement about tools being privilege.
Amazing piece. I’m inspired by this honesty and compassion.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this beautiful masterpiece.
You've instilled new hope in me.
♥️ Understanding, Tolerance & Kindness cannot be overrated - ever. Never.
I will always welcome anyone who changes their view and becomes less superior, divisive, antagonistic and a follower of a destructive cultish ideology. To change must be so very hard and scary… I applaud anyone with the courage to do so. Deep down, we all want to be treated kindly.
Thank you Pru and thank you Amber. You've done so much to help already.
Absolutely right. Demonizing people won't change their minds.